andBonaparte，inallthevigourofhisgenius，wasoftensubjecttoaberrationsofjudgment;forthoughhisimaginationneverfailedhim，hisjudgmentwasfrequentlyatfault.
　　Thisfactmayservetoexplain，andperhapseventoexcusethefaultswithwhichtheFirstConsulhasbeenmostseriouslyreproached.Theactivityofhismindseldomadmittedofanintervalbetweentheconceptionandtheexecutionofadesign;butwhenhereflectedcoollyonthefirstimpulsesofhisimperiouswill，hisjudgmentdiscardedwhatwaserroneous.Thustheblindobedience，which，likeanepidemicdisease，infectedalmostallwhosurroundedBonaparte，wasproductiveofthemostfataleffects.ThebestwaytoservetheFirstConsulwasnevertolistentothesuggestionsofhisfirstideas，exceptonthefieldofbattle，wherehisconceptionswereashappyastheywererapid.Thus，forexample，MM.Maret，deChampagny，andSavaryevincedareadyobediencetoBonaparte’swishes，whichoftenprovedveryunfortunate，thoughdoubtlessdictatedbythebestintentionsontheirpart.TothisfatalzealmaybeattributedagreatportionofthemischiefwhichBonapartecommitted.Whenthemischiefwasdone，andpastremedy，Bonapartedeeplyregrettedit.HowoftenhaveIheardhimsaythatMaretwasanimatedbyanunluckyzeal！Thiswastheexpressionhemadeuseof.
　　M.deTalleyrandwasalmosttheonlyoneamongtheministerswhodidnotflatterBonaparte，andwhoreallyservedboththeFirstConsulandtheEmperor.WhenBonapartesaidtoM.deTalleyrand，"Writesoandso，andsenditoffbyaspecialcourier，"thatministerwasneverinahurrytoobeytheorder，becauseheknewthecharacteroftheFirstConsulwellenoughtodistinguishbetweenwhathispassiondictatedandwhathisreasonwouldapprove：inshort，heappealedfromPhilipdrunktoPhilipsober.WhenithappenedthatM.deTalleyrandsuspendedtheexecutionofanorder，Bonaparteneverevincedtheleastdispleasure.When，thedayafterhehadreceivedanyhastyandangryorder，M.deTalleyrandpresentedhimselftotheFirstConsul，thelatterwouldsay，"Well，didyousendoffthecourier？"——"No，"theministerwouldreply，"ItookcarenottodosobeforeIshowedyoumyletter."ThentheFirstConsulwouldusuallyadd，"UponsecondthoughtsIthinkitwouldbebestnottosendit."ThiswasthewaytodealwithBonaparte.WhenM.deTalleyrandpostponedsendingoffdespatches，orwhenImyselfhavedelayedtheexecutionofanorderwhichIknewhadbeendictatedbyanger，andhademanatedneitherfromhisheartnorhisunderstanding，Ihaveheardhimsayahundredtimes，"Itwasright，quiteright.Youunderstandme：
　　Talleyrandunderstandsmealso.Thisisthewaytoserveme：theothersdonotleavemetimeforreflection：theyaretooprecipitate."FouchealsowasoneofthosewhodidnotonalloccasionsblindlyobeyBonaparte’scommands.Hisotherministers，ontheotherhand，whentoldtosendoffacourierthenextmorning，wouldhavemoreprobablysenthimoffthesameevening.Thiswasfromzeal，butwasnottheFirstConsulrightinsayingthatsuchzealwasunfortunate？
　　OfTalleyrandandFouche，intheirconnectionswiththeFirstConsul，itmightbesaidthattheonerepresentedtheConstituentAssembly，withaslightperfumeoftheoldregime，andtheothertheConventioninallitsbrutality.BonaparteregardedFoucheasacompletepersonificationoftheRevolution.Withhim，therefore，Fouche’sinfluencewasmerelytheinfluenceoftheRevolution.ThatgreateventwasoneofthosewhichhadmadethemostforcibleimpressiononBonaparte’sardentmind，andheimaginedhestillbehelditinavisibleformaslongasFouchecontinuedattheheadofhispolice.IamnowofopinionthatBonapartewasinsomedegreemisledastothevalueofFouche’sservicesasaminister.
　　NodoubtthecircumstanceofFouchebeinginofficeconciliatedthoseoftheRevolutionarypartywhowerehisfriends.ButFouchecherishedanunduepartialityforthem，becauseheknewthatitwasthroughthemheheldhisplace.HewaslikeoneoftheoldCondottieri，whoweremadefriendsoflesttheyshouldbecomeenemies，andwhoowedalltheirpowertothesoldiersenrolledundertheirbanners.
　　SuchwasFouche，andBonaparteperfectlyunderstoodhissituation.Hekeptthechiefinhisserviceuntilhecouldfindanopportunityofdisbandinghisundisciplinedfollowers.ButtherewasonecircumstancewhichconfirmedhisrelianceonFouche.HewhohadvotedthedeathoftheKingofFrance，andhadinfluencedthemindsofthosewhohadvotedwithhim，offeredBonapartethebestguaranteeagainsttheattemptsoftheRoyalistsforraisingupinfavouroftheBourbonsthethronewhichtheFirstConsulhimselfhaddeterminedtoascend.Thus，fordifferentreasons，BonaparteandFouchehadcommoninterestsagainsttheHouseofBourbon，andthemaster’sambitionderivedencouragementfromthesupposedterroroftheservant.
　　TheFirstConsulwasawareoftheexistenceinParisofaRoyalistcommittee，formedforthepurposeofcorrespondingwithLouisXVIII.
　　Thiscommitteeconsistedofmenwhomustnotbeconfoundedwiththosewretchedintriguerswhowereofnoservicetotheiremployers，andwerenotunfrequentlyinthepayofbothBonaparteandtheBourbons.
　　TheRoyalistcommittee，properlysocalled，wasaverydifferentthing.
　　Itconsistedofmenprofessingrationalprinciplesofliberty，suchastheMarquisdeClermontGallerande，theAbbedeMontesqiou，M.Becquet，andM.RoyerCollard.Thiscommitteehadbeenoflongstanding;therespectableindividualswhosenamesIhavejustquotedacteduponasystemhostiletothedespotismofBonaparte，andfavourabletowhattheyconceivedtobetheinterestsofFrance.KnowingthesuperiorwisdomofLouisXVIII.，andtheopinionswhichhehadavowedandmaintainedintheAssemblyoftheNotables，theywishedtoseparatethatPrincefromtheemigrants，andtopointhimouttothenationasasuitableheadofareasonableConstitutionalGovernment.Bonaparte，whomIhaveoftenheardspeakonthesubject，dreadednothingsomuchastheseideasofliberty，inconjunctionwithamonarchy.Heregardedthemasreveries，calledthemembersofthecommitteeidledreamers，butneverthelessfearedthetriumphoftheirideas.HeconfessedtomethatitwastocounteractthepossibleinfluenceoftheRoyalistcommitteethatheshowedhimselfsoindulgenttothoseoftheemigrantswhosemonarchicalprejudicesheknewwereincompatiblewithliberalopinions.Bythepresenceofemigrantswhoacknowledgednothingshortofabsolutepower，hethoughthemightparalysetheinfluenceoftheRoyalistsoftheinterior;hethereforegrantedallsuchemigrantspermissiontoreturn.
　　AboutthistimeIrecollecthavingreadadocument，whichhadbeensigned，purportingtobeadeclarationoftheprinciplesofLouisXVIII.
　　ItwassignedbyM.d’Andre，whoboreevidencetoitsauthenticity.
　　Theprinciplescontainedinthedeclarationwereinalmostallpointsconformabletotheprincipleswhichformedthebasisofthecharter.
　　Evensoearlyas1792，andconsequentlyprevioustothefatal21stofJanuary，LouisXVI.，whoknewtheopinionsofM.deClermontGallerande，senthimonamissiontoCoblentztoinformthePrincesfromhim，andtheQueen，thattheywouldberuinedbytheiremigration.Iamaccuratelyinformed，andIstatethisfactwiththeutmostconfidence.IcanalsoaddwithequalcertaintythatthecircumstancewasmentionedbyM.deClermontGallerandeinhisMemoirs，andthatthepassagerelativetohismissiontoCoblentzwascancelledbeforethemanuscriptwassenttopress.
　　DuringtheConsularGovernmenttheobjectoftheRoyalistcommitteewastoseduceratherthantoconspire.ItwasroundMadameBonaparteinparticularthattheirbatterieswereraised，andtheydidnotproveineffectual.ThefemalefriendsofJosephinefilledhermindwithideasofthesplendouranddistinctionshewouldenjoyifthepowerfulhandwhichhadchainedtheRevolutionshouldraiseupthesubvertedthrone.
　　ImustconfessthatIwasmyself，unconsciously，anaccompliceofthefriendsofthethrone;forwhattheywishedfortheinterestoftheBourbonsIthenardentlywishedfortheinterestofBonaparte.
　　WhileendeavourswerethusmadetogainoverMadameBonapartetotheinterestoftheroyalfamily，brilliantofferswereheldoutforthepurposeofdazzlingtheFirstConsul.ItwaswishedtoretemperforhimtheswordoftheconstableDuguesclin;anditwashopedthatastatueerectedtohishonourwouldatonceattesttoposterityhisspotlessgloryandthegratitudeoftheBourbons.ButwhentheseoffersreachedtheearsofBonapartehetreatedthemwithindifference，andplacednofaithintheirsincerity.ConversingonthesubjectonedaywithM.deLaFayettehesaid，"Theyoffermeastatue，butImustlooktothepedestal.Theymaymakeitmyprison."IdidnothearBonaparteutterthesewords;buttheywerereportedtomefromasource，theauthenticityofwhichmaybereliedon.
　　Aboutthistime，whensomuchwassaidintheRoyalistcirclesandintheFaubourgSt.Germain，ofwhichtheHoteldeLuyneswastheheadquarters，aboutthepossiblereturnoftheBourbons，thepublicationofapopularbookcontributednotalittletodirecttheattentionofthepublictothemostbrilliantperiodofthereignofLouisXIV.ThebookwasthehistoricalromanceofMadamedelaValloire，byMadamedeGenlis，whohadrecentlyreturnedtoFrance.Bonapartereadit，andIhavesinceunderstoodthathewasverywellpleasedwithit，buthesaidnothingtomeaboutit.ItwasnotuntilsometimeafterthathecomplainedoftheeffectwhichwasproducedinParisbythispublication，andespeciallybyengravingsrepresentingscenesinthelifeofLouisXIV.，andwhichwereexhibitedintheshop—windows.Thepolicereceivedorderstosuppresstheseprints;andtheorderwasimplicitlyobeyed;butitwasnotFouche’spolice.Fouchesawtheabsurdityofinterferingwithtrifles.
　　IrecollectthatimmediatelyafterthecreationoftheLegionofHonour，itbeingsummer，theyoungmenofParisindulgedinthewhimofwearingacarnationinabutton—hole，whichatadistancehadratheradeceptiveeffect.Bonapartetookthisveryseriously.HesentforFouche，anddesiredhimtoarrestthosewhopresumedthustoturntheneworderintoridicule.Fouchemerelyrepliedthathewouldwaittilltheautumn;andtheFirstConsulunderstoodthattrifleswereoftenrenderedmattersofimportancebybeinghonouredwithtoomuchattention.
　　ButthoughBonapartewaspiquedattheinterestexcitedbytheengravingsofMadamedeGenlis’romancehemanifestednodispleasureagainstthatcelebratedwoman，whohadbeenrecommendedtohimbyMM.deFontanesandFieveeandwhoaddressedseveralletterstohim.AsthissortofcorrespondencedidnotcomewithintheroutineofmybusinessIdidnotseetheletters;butIheardfromMadameBonapartethattheycontainedaprodigiousnumberofpropernames，andIhavereasontobelievethattheycontributednotalittletomagnify，intheeyesoftheFirstConsul，theimportanceoftheFaubourgSt.Germain，which，inspiteofallhiscourage，wasascarecrowtohim.
　　BonaparteregardedtheFaubourgSt.GermainasrepresentingthewholemassofRoyalistopinion;andhesawclearlythatthenumerouserasuresfromtheemigrantlisthadnecessarilyincreaseddissatisfactionamongtheRoyalists，sincethepropertyoftheemigrantshadnotbeenrestoredtoitsoldpossessors，eveninthosecasesinwhichithadnotbeensold.
　　ItwasthefashioninacertainclasstoridiculetheunpolishedmannersofthegreatmenoftheRepubliccomparedwiththemannersofthenobilityoftheoldCourt.Thewivesofcertaingeneralshadseveraltimescommittedthemselvesbytheirawkwardness.Inmanycirclestherewasanaffectationoftreatingwithcontemptwhatarecalledtheparvenus;thosepeoplewho，touseM.deTalleyrand’sexpression，donotknowhowtowalkuponacarpet.AllthisgaverisetocomplaintsagainsttheFaubourgSt.Germain;while，ontheotherhand，Bonaparte’sbrotherssparednoendeavourstoirritatehimagainsteverythingthatwascalculatedtorevivetherecollectionoftheBourbons.
　　SuchwereBonaparte’sfeelings，andsuchwasthestateofsocietyduringtheyear1802.ThefearoftheBourbonsmustindeedhavehadapowerfulinfluenceontheFirstConsulbeforehecouldhavebeeninducedtotakeastepwhichmayjustlyberegardedasthemostinconsiderateofhiswholelife.AftersufferingsevenmonthstoelapsewithoutansweringthefirstletterofLouisXVIII.，afteratlengthansweringhissecondletterinthetoneofaKingaddressingasubject，hewentsofarastowritetoLouis，proposingthatheshouldrenouncethethroneofhisancestorsinhis，Bonaparte’s，favour，andofferinghimasarewardforthisrenunciationaprincipalityinItaly，oraconsiderablerevenueforhimselfandhisfamily.
　　——[Napoleonseemstohavealwaysknown，aswithCromwellandtheStuarts，thatifhisdynastyfailedtheBourbonsmustsucceedhim.
　　"Iremember，"saysMetternich，"Napoleonsaidtome，’DoyouknowwhyLouisXVIII.isnotnowsittingoppositetoyou？ItisonlybecauseitisIwhoamsittinghere.Nootherpersoncouldmaintainhisposition;andifeverIdisappearinconsequenceofacatastrophenoonebutaBourboncouldsithere.’"（Metternich，tomei.p.248）.Farther，hesaidtoMetternich，"TheKingoverthrown，theRepublicwasmasterofthesoilofFrance.ItisthatwhichI
　　havereplaced.TheoldthroneofFranceisburiedunderitsrubbish.Ihadtofoundanewone.TheBourbonscouldnotreignoverthiscreation.Mystrengthliesinmyfortune.Iamnew，liketheEmpire;thereis，therefore，aperfecthomogeneitybetweentheEmpireandmyself."——"However，"saysMetternich，"IhaveoftenthoughtthatNapoleon，bytalkinginthisway，merelysoughttostudytheopinionofothers，ortoconfuseit，andthedirectadvancewhichhemadetoLouisXVIII.，in1804seemedtoconfirmthissuspicion.Speakingtomeonedayofthisadvancehesaid，’Monsieur’sreplywasgrand;itwasfulloffinetraditions.Thereissomethinginlegitimaterightswhichappealstomorethanthemeremind.IfMonsieurhadconsultedhismindonlyhewouldhavearrangedwithme，andIshouldhavemadeforhimamagnificentfuture’"（Metternich，tomei，p.276）.AccordingtoIung’sLucien（tomeii.p.421），theletterwrittenandsignedbyNapoleon，butneversent，anotherdraftbeingsubstituted，isstillintheFrencharchives.MetternichspeaksofNapoleonmakingadirectadvancetoLouisXVIII.in1804.AccordingtoColonelIung（LucienBonaparte，tomeii.pp.4211—426）theattemptwasmadethroughtheKingofPrussiain1802，thefinalanswerofLouisbeingmadeonthe28thFebruary1803，asgiveninthetext，butwithapostscriptofhisnephewinaddition，"WiththepermissionoftheKing，myuncle，I
　　adherewithheartandsoultothecontentsofthisnote.
　　"（signed）LOUISANTOINE，Dued’Angouleme."
　　ThereaderwillremarkthatthereisnogreatintervalbetweenthisletterandthefinalbreakwiththeBourbonsbythedeathoftheDucd’Enghien.Atthistime，accordingtoSavory（tomeiii.p.241），someoftheBourbonswerereceivingFrenchpensions.ThePrincedeConti，theDuchessedeBourbon，andtheDuchessed’Orleans，whensentoutofFrancebytheDirectory，weregivenpensionsoffrom20，000to26，000francseach.TheylivedinCatalonia.WhentheFrenchtroopsenteredSpainin1808GeneralCanclaux，afriendofthePrincedeConti，broughttothenoticeofNapoleonthatthetiresomeformalitiesinsistedonbythepestilentclerksofallnationswereobservedtowardstheseregalpersonages.Gaudin，theMinisterofFinance，apparentlyonhisowninitiative，drewupadecreeincreasingthepensionsto80，000francs，anddoingawaywiththeformalities."TheEmperorsignedatonce，thankingtheMinisterofFinance."Thereader，rememberingthepositionoftheFrenchPrincesthen，shouldcomparethisactionofNapoleonwiththefailureoftheBourbonsin1814topaythesumspromisedtoNapoleon，notwithstandingthestrongremonstrancesmadeatViennatoTalleyrandbyAlexanderandLordCastlereagh.SeeTalleyrand’sCorrespondencewithLouisXVIII.，tomeii.pp.27，28;orFrenchedition，pp.285，288.]——
　　ThereaderwillrecollectthecuriousquestionwhichtheFirstConsulputtomeonthesubjectoftheBourbonswhenwewerewalkingintheparkofMalmaison.TothereplywhichImadetohimonthatoccasionIattributethesecrecyheobservedtowardsmerespectingtheletterjustalludedto.
　　IamindeedinclinedtoregardthatletterastheresultofoneofhisprivateconferenceswithLucien;butIknownothingpositiveonthesubject，andmerelymentionthisasaconjecture.However，IhadanopportunityofascertainingthecuriouscircumstanceswhichtookplaceatMittau，whenBonaparte’sletterwasdeliveredtoLouisXVIII.
　　ThatPrincewasalreadymuchirritatedagainstBonapartebyhisdelayinansweringhisfirstletter，andalsobythetenorofhistardyreply;
　　butonreadingtheFirstConsul’ssecondletterthedethronedKingimmediatelysatdownandtracedafewlinesforciblyexpressinghisindignationatsuchaproposition.Thenote，hastilywrittenbyLouisXVIII.inthefirstimpulseofirritation，borelittleresemblancetothedignifiedandelegantletterwhichBonapartereceived，andwhichIshallpresentlylaybeforethereader.ThislatterepistleclosedveryhappilywiththebeautifuldeviceofFrancisI.，"Allislostbuthonour."Butthefirstletterwasstampedwithamorechivalroustoneofindignation.
　　Theindignantsovereignwroteitwithhishandsupportedonthehiltofhissword;buttheAbbeAndre，inwhomLouisXVIII.reposedgreatconfidence，sawthenote，andsucceeded，notwithoutsomedifficulty，insoothingtheangeroftheKing，andprevailingonhimtowritethefollowingletter：
　　IdonotconfoundM.Bonapartewiththosewhohaveprecededhim.
　　Iesteemhiscourageandhismilitarytalents.Iamgratefulforsomeactsofhisgovernment;forthebenefitswhichareconferredonmypeoplewillalwaysbeprizedbyme.
　　Butheerrsinsupposingthathecaninducemetorenouncemyrights;sofarfromthat，hewouldconfirmthem，iftheycouldpossiblybedoubtful，bythestephehasnowtaken.
　　IamignorantofthedesignsofHeavenrespectingmeandmysubjects;butIknowtheobligationswhichGodhasimposeduponme.
　　AsaChristian，Iwillfulfilmydutiestomylastbreath——asthesonofSt.Louis，Iwould，likehim，respectmyselfeveninchains——
　　asthesuccessorofFrancisI.，Isaywithhim——’Toutestperduforsl’honneur’.
　　MITTAU，1802.LOUIS.
　　LouisXVIII.’sletterhavingreachedParis，theRoyalistcommitteeassembled，andwerenotalittleembarrassedastowhatshouldbedone.
　　ThemeetingtookplaceatNeuilly.AfteralongdeliberationitwassuggestedthatthedeliveryofthelettershouldbeentrustedtotheThirdConsul，withwhomtheAbbydeMontesqiouhadkeptupacquaintancesincethetimeoftheConstituentAssembly.Thissuggestionwasadopted.
　　Therecollectionsofthecommencementofhiscareer，underChancellorMaupeou，hadalwayscausedM.LebruntoberankedinadistinctclassbytheRoyalists.Formypart，Ialwayslookeduponhimasaveryhonestman，awarmadvocateofequality，andanxiousthatitshouldbeprotectedevenbydespotism，whichsuitedtheviewsoftheFirstConsulverywell.
　　TheAbbedeMontesquiouaccordinglywaiteduponM.Lebrun，whoundertooktodelivertheletter.Bonapartereceiveditwithanairofindifference;butwhetherthatindifferencewererealoraffected，Iamtothisdayunabletodetermine.HesaidverylittletomeabouttheillsuccessofthenegotiationwithLouisXVIII.Onthissubjecthedreaded，aboveall，theinterferenceofhisbrothers，whocreatedaroundhimasortofcommotionwhichheknewwasnotwithoutitsinfluence，andwhichonseveraloccasionshadexcitedhisanger.
　　TheletterofLouisXVIII.iscertainlyconceivedinatoneofdignitywhichcannotbetoohighlyadmired;anditmaybesaidthatBonaparteonthisoccasionrenderedarealservicetoLouisbyaffordinghimtheopportunityofpresentingtotheworldoneofthefinestpagesinthehistoryofadethronedKing.Thisletter，thecontentsofwhichwereknowninsomecirclesofParis，wastheobjectofgeneralapprobationtothosewhopreservedtherecollectionoftheBourbons，andaboveall，totheRoyalistcommittee.Themembersofthatcommittee，proudofthenoblespiritevincedbytheunfortunatemonarch，whosereturntheyweregenerouslylabouringtoeffect，repliedtohimbyasortofmanifesto，towhichtimehasimpartedinterest，sincesubsequenteventshavefulfilledthepredictionsitcontained.
　　CHAPTERXVI
　　1802.
　　Thedayaftermydisgrace——Renewalofmyduties——Bonaparte’saffectedregardforme——Offerofanassistant——M.deMeneval——MysecondrupturewithBonaparte——TheDuedeRovigo’saccountofit——
　　LetterfromM.deBarbeMarbois——RealcausesofmyseparationfromtheFirstConsul——PostscripttotheletterofM.deBarbeMarbois——
　　Theblackcabinet——InspectionoflettersdiningtheConsulate——
　　IretiretoSt.Cloud——CommunicationsfromM.deMeneval——Aweek’sconflictbetweenfriendshipandpride——Myformaldismissal——Pettyrevenge——MyrequesttovisitEngland——Monosyllabicanswer——Wrongsuspicion——Burialofmypapers——CommunicationfromDuroc——MylettertotheFirstConsul——Thetruthacknowledged.
　　Ishallnowreturntothecircumstanceswhichfollowedmyfirstdisgrace，ofwhichIhavealreadyspoken.ThedayafterthatonwhichIhadresumedmyfunctionsIwentasusualtoawakentheFirstConsulatseveninthemorning.Hetreatedmejustthesameasifnothinghadhappenedbetweenus;andonmypartIbehavedtohimjustasusual，thoughI
　　reallyregrettedbeingobligedtoresumelabourswhichIfoundtoooppressiveforme.WhenBonapartecamedownintohiscabinethespoketomeofhisplanswithhisusualconfidence，andIsaw，fromthenumberofletterslyinginthebasket，thatduringthefewdaysmyfunctionshadbeensuspendedBonapartehadnotovercomehisdisinclinationtoperusethiskindofcorrespondence.AttheperiodofthisfirstruptureandreconciliationthequestionoftheConsulateforlifewasyetunsettled.
　　Itwasnotdecideduntilthe2dofAugust，andthecircumstancestowhichIamabouttoreferhappenedattheendofFebruary.
　　IwasnowrestoredtomyformerfootingofintimacywiththeFirstConsul，atleastforatime;butIsoonperceivedthat，afterthescenewhichM.deTalleyrandhadwitnessed，mydutiesintheTuileriesweremerelyprovisional，andmightbeshortenedorprolongedaccordingtocircumstances.IsawattheveryfirstmomentthatBonapartehadsacrificedhiswoundedpridetothenecessity（forsuchImay，withoutanyvanity，callit）ofemployingmyservices.Theforcedpreferencehegrantedtomearosefromthefactofhisbeingunabletofindanyoneabletosupplymyplace;forDuroc，asIhavealreadysaid，showedadisinclinationtothebusiness.IdidnotremainlonginthedarkrespectingthenewsituationinwhichIstood.Iwasevidentlystillunderquarantine;buttheperiodofmyquittingtheportwasundetermined.
　　AshorttimeafterourreconciliationtheFirstConsulsaidtome，inacajolingtoneofwhichIwasnotthedupe，"MydearBourrienne，youcannotdoeverything.Businessincreases，andwillcontinuetoincrease.
　　YouknowwhatCorvisartsays.Youhaveafamily;thereforeitisrightyoushouldtakecareofyourhealth.Youmustnotkillyourselfwithwork;thereforesomeonemustbegottoassistyou.Josephtellsmethathecanrecommendasecretary，oneofwhomhespeaksveryhighly.Heshallbeunderyourdirection;hecanmakeoutyourcopies，anddoallthatcanconsistentlyberequiredofhim.This，Ithink，willbeagreatrelieftoyou."——"Iaskfornothingbetter，"repliedI，"thantohavetheassistanceofsomeonewho，afterbecomingacquaintedwiththebusiness，may，sometimeorother，succeedme."JosephsentM.deMeneval，ayoungmanwho，toagoodeducation，addedtherecommendationsofindustryandprudence.Ihadeveryreasontobesatisfiedwithhim.
　　ItwasnowthatNapoleonemployedallthosedevicesandcaresseswhichalwayssucceededsowellwithhim，andwhichyetagaingainedtheday，toputanendtotheinconveniencecausedtohimbymyretirement，andtoretainme.HereIcalleveryonewhoknewmeaswitnessesthatnothingcouldequalmygriefanddespairtofindmyselfobligedtoagainbeginmytroublesomework.Myhealthhadsufferedmuchfromit.Corvisartwasaclevercounsellor，butitwasonlyduringthenightthatIcouldcarryouthisadvice.Toresumemydutieswastorenounceallhopeofrest，andevenofhealth.
　　——[Thereisconsiderabletruthinthisstatementabouttheeffectonhishealth.Hissuccessor，Meneval，withoutthesameamountofwork，brokedownandhadtoreceiveassistance（Meneval，tomei.p.
　　149）.]——
　　IsoonperceivedtheFirstConsul’sanxietytomakeM.deMenevalacquaintedwiththeroutineofbusiness，andaccustomedtohismanner.
　　Bonapartehadneverpardonedmeforhavingpresumedtoquithimafterhehadattainedsohighadegreeofpower;hewasonlywaitingforanopportunitytopunishme，andheseizeduponanunfortunatecircumstanceasanexcuseforthatseparationwhichIhadpreviouslywishedtobringabout.
　　Iwillexplainthiscircumstance，whichoughttohaveobtainedformetheconsolationandassistanceoftheFirstConsulratherthantheforfeitureofhisfavour.Myrupturewithhimhasbeenthesubjectofvariousmisstatements，allofwhichIshallnottakethetroubletocorrect;
　　IwillmerelynoticewhatIhavereadintheMemoirsoftheDucdeRovigo，inwhichitisstatedthatIwasaccusedofpeculation.M.deRovigothusexpresseshimself：
　　EversincetheFirstConsulwasinvestedwiththesupremepowerhislifehadbeenacontinuedsceneofpersonalexertion.HehadforhisprivatesecretaryM.deBourrienne，afriendandcompanionofhisyouth，whomhenowmadethesharerofallhislabours.Hefrequentlysentforhiminthedeadofthenight，andparticularlyinsisteduponhisattendinghimeverymorningatseven.Bourriennewaspunctualinhisattendancewiththepublicpapers，whichhehadpreviouslyglancedover.TheFirstConsulalmostinvariablyreadtheircontentshimself;hethendespatchedsomebusiness，andsatdowntotablejustastheclockstrucknine.Hisbreakfast，whichlastedsixminutes，wasnosooneroverthanhereturnedtohiscabinet，onlyleftitfordinner，andresumedhiscloseoccupationimmediatelyafter，untiltenatnight，whichwashisusualhourforretiringtorest.
　　Bourriennewasgiftedwithamostwonderfulmemory;hecouldspeakandwritemanylanguages，andwouldmakehispenfollowasfastaswordswereuttered.Hepossessedmanyotheradvantages;hewaswellacquaintedwiththeadministrativedepartments，wasversedinthelawofnations，andpossessedazealandactivitywhichrenderedhisservicesquiteindispensabletotheFirstConsul.Ihaveknowntheseveralgroundsuponwhichtheunlimitedconfidenceplacedinhimbyhischiefrested，butamunabletospeakwithequalassuranceoftheerrorswhichoccasionedhislosingthatconfidence.
　　Bourriennehadmanyenemies;somewereowingtohispersonalcharacter，agreaternumbertothesituationwhichheheld.
　　OtherswerejealousofthecreditheenjoyedwiththeHeadoftheGovernment;others，again，discontentedathisnotmakingthatcreditsubservienttotheirpersonaladvantage.Someevenimputedtohimthewantofsuccessthathadattendedtheirclaims.Itwasimpossibletobringanychargeagainsthimonthescoreofdeficiencyoftalentorofindiscreetconduct;hispersonalhabitswerewatched——itwasascertainedthatheengagedinfinancialspeculations.Animputationcouldeasilybefoundedonthiscircumstance.Peculationwasaccordinglylaidtohischarge.
　　Thiswastouchingthemosttenderground，fortheFirstConsulheldnothingingreaterabhorrencethanunlawfulgains.Asolitaryvoice，however，wouldhavefailedinanattempttodefamethecharacterofamanforwhomhehadsolongfeltesteemandaffection;othervoices，therefore，werebroughttobearagainsthim.Whethertheaccusationswerewellfoundedorotherwise，itisbeyondadoubtthatallmeanswereresortedtoforbringingthemtotheknowledgeoftheFirstConsul.
　　Themosteffectualcoursethatsuggesteditselfwastheopeningacorrespondenceeitherwiththeaccusedpartydirect，orwiththosewithwhomitwasfeltindispensabletobringhimintocontact;thiscorrespondencewascarriedoninamysteriousmanner，andrelatedtothefinancialoperationsthathadformedthegroundsofachargeagainsthim.——Thusitisthat，onmorethanoneoccasion，theverychannelsintendedforconveyingtruthtotheknowledgeofasovereignhavebeenmadeavailabletothepurposeofcommunicatingfalseintelligencetohim.Togiveaninstance.
　　UnderthereignofLouisXV.，andevenundertheRegency，thePostOfficewasorganizedintoasystemofminuteinspection，whichdidnotindeedextendtoeveryletter，butwasexercisedoverallsuchasaffordedgroundsforsuspicion.Theywereopened，and，whenitwasnotdeemedsafetosuppressthem，copiesweretaken，andtheywerereturnedtotheirproperchannelwithouttheleastdelay.Anyindividualdenouncinganothermay，bythehelpofsuchanestablishment，givegreatweighttohisdenunciation.ItissufficientforhispurposethatheshouldthrowintothePostOfficeanylettersowordedastoconfirmtheimpressionwhichitishisobjecttoconvey.Theworthiestmanmaythusbecommittedbyaletterwhichhehasneverread，orthepurportofwhichiswhollyunintelligibletohim.
　　Iamspeakingfrompersonalexperience.Itoncehappenedthataletteraddressedtomyself，relatingtoanallegedfactwhichhadneveroccurred，wasopened.Acopyofthelettersoopenedwasalsoforwardedtome，asitconcernedthedutieswhichIhadtoperformatthattime;butIwasalreadyinpossessionoftheoriginal，transmittedthroughtheordinarychannel.Summonedtoreplytothequestionstowhichsuchproductionshadgivenrise，Itookthatopportunityofpointingoutthedangerthatwouldaccruefromplacingablindrelianceuponintelligencederivedfromsohazardousasource.Accordingly，littleimportancewasafterwardsattachedtothismeansofinformation;butthesystemwasinoperationattheperiodwhenM.deBourriennewasdisgraced;hisenemiestookcaretoavailthemselvesofit;theyblackenedhischaracterwithM.deBarbeMarbois，whoaddedtotheiraccusationsalltheweightofhisunblemishedcharacter.Theopinionentertainedbythisrigidpublicfunctionary，andmanyothercircumstances，inducedtheFirstConsultopartwithhissecretary（tomei.p.418）.
　　Peculationisthecrimeofthosewhomakeafraudulentuseofthepublicmoney.Butasitwasnotinmypowertomeddlewiththepublicmoney，nopartofwhichpassedthroughmyhands，IamatlosstoconceivehowIcanbechargedwithpeculation！TheDuedeRovigoisnottheauthor，butmerelytheecho，ofthiscalumny;buttheaccusationtowhichhisMemoirsgavecurrencyaffordedM.deBarbeMarboisanopportunityofaddingonemoretothemanyproofshehasgivenofhisloveofjustice.
　　IhadseennothingoftheMemoirsoftheDuedeRovigoexcepttheirannouncementinthejournals，whenaletterfromM.deBarbeMarboiswastransmittedtomefrommyfamily.Itwasasfollows：
　　SIR——Myattentionhasbeencalledtotheenclosedarticleinarecentpublication.Theassertionitcontainsisnottrue，andI
　　conceiveittobeadutybothtoyouandmyselftodeclarethatI
　　thenwas，andstillam，ignorantofthecausesoftheseparationinquestion：——Iam，etc.
　　（Signed）MARBOIS
　　Ineedsaynomoreinmyjustification.ThisunsolicitedtestimonyofM.
　　deMarboisisasufficientcontradictiontothechargeofpeculationwhichhasbeenraisedagainstmeintheabsenceofcorrectinformationrespectingtherealcausesofmyrupturewiththeFirstConsul.
　　M.leDuedeRovigoalsoobservesthatmyenemieswerenumerous.Myconcealedadversarieswereindeedallthosewhowereinterestedthatthesovereignshouldnothaveabouthim，ashisconfidentialcompanion，amandevotedtohisgloryandnottohisvanity.InexpressinghisdissatisfactionwithoneofhisministersBonapartehadsaid，inthepresenceofseveralindividuals，amongwhomwasM.Maret，"IfIcouldfindasecondBourrienneIwouldgetridofyouall."ThiswassufficienttoraiseagainstmethehatredofallwhoenviedtheconfidenceofwhichIwasinpossession.
　　ThefailureofafirminParisinwhichIhadinvestedaconsiderablesumofmoneyaffordedanopportunityforenvyandmalignitytoirritatetheFirstConsulagainstme.Bonaparte，whohadnotyetforgivenmeforwishingtoleavehim，atlengthdeterminedtosacrificemyservicestoanewfitofill—humour.
　　Amercantilehouse，thenoneofthemoatrespectableinPatna，hadamongitsspeculationsundertakensomearmycontracts.WiththeknowledgeofBerthier，withwhom，indeed，thehousehadtreated，Ihadinvestedsomemoneyinthisbusiness.Unfortunatelytheprincipalswere，unknowntome，engagedindangerousspeculationsintheFunds，whichinashorttimesoinvolvedthemastooccasiontheirfailureforaheavyamount.ThiscausedarumourthataslightfalloftheFunds，whichtookplaceatthatperiod，wasoccasionedbythebankruptcy;andtheFirstConsul，whonevercouldunderstandthenatureoftheFunds，gavecredittothereport.HewasmadetobelievethatthebusinessoftheStockExchangewasruined.
　　ItwasinsinuatedthatIwasaccusedoftakingadvantageofmysituationtoproducevariationsintheFunds，thoughIwassounfortunateastolosenotonlymyinvestmentinthebankrupthouse，butalsoasumofmoneyforwhichIhadbecomebound，bywayofsurety，toassistthehouseinincreasingitsbusiness.IincurredtheviolentdispleasureoftheFirstConsul，whodeclaredtomethathenolongerrequiredmyservices.
　　Imight，perhapshavecooledhisirritationbyremindinghimthathecouldnotblamemeforpurchasinganinterestinacontract，sincehehimselfhadstipulatedforagratuityof1，500，000francsforhisbrotherJosephoutofthecontractforvictuallingthenavy.ButIsawthatforsometimepastM.deMenevalhadbeguntosupersedeme，andtheFirstConsulonlywantedsuchanopportunityasthisforcomingtoarupturewithme.
　　SuchisatruestatementofthecircumstanceswhichledtomyseparationfromBonaparte.Idefyanyonetoadduceasinglefactinsupportofthechargeofpeculation，oranytransactionofthekind;Ifearnoinvestigationofmyconduct.WhenintheserviceofBonaparteIcausedmanyappointmentstobemade，andmanynamestobeerasedfromtheemigrantlistbeforethe’Senatus—consulte’ofthe6thFloreal，yearX.;
　　butInevercountedupongratitude，experiencehavingtaughtmethatitwasanemptyword.
　　TheDucdeRovigoattributedmydisgracetocertaininterceptedletterswhichinjuredmeintheeyesoftheFirstConsul.Ididnotknowthisatthetime，andthoughIwasprettywellawareofthemachinationsofBonaparte’sadulators，almostallofwhomweremyenemies，yetIdidnotcontemplatesuchanactofbaseness.ButaspontaneousletterfromM.deBarbeMarboisatlengthopenedmyeyes，andleftlittledoubtonthesubject.Thefollowingisthepostscripttothatnoblepeer’sletter：
　　IrecollectthatoneWednesdaytheFirstConsul，whilepresidingataCouncilofMinistersatSt.Cloud，openedanote，and，withoutinforminguswhatitcontained，hastilylefttheBoard，apparentlymuchagitated.Inafewminuteshereturnedandtoldusthatyourfunctionshadceased.
　　WhetherthesuddendispleasureoftheFirstConsulwasexcitedbyafalserepresentationofmyconcerninthetransactionwhichprovedsounfortunatetome，orwhetherBonapartemerelymadethatapretenceforcarryingintoexecutionaresolutionwhichIamconvincedhadbeenpreviouslyadopted，Ishallnotstoptodetermine;buttheDuedeRovigohavingmentionedtheviolationofthesecrecyoflettersinmycase，I
　　shalltaketheopportunityofstatingsomeparticularsonthatsubject.
　　BeforeIwrotetheseMemoirstheexistenceinthePostOfficeofthecabinet，whichhadobtainedtheepithetofblack，hadbeendenouncedinthechamberofdeputies，andtheanswerwas，thatitnolongerexisted，whichofcourseamountedtoanadmissionthatithadexisted.Imaytherefore，withoutindiscretion，statewhatIknowrespectingit.
　　The"blackcabinet"wasestablishedinthereignofLouisXV.，merelyforthepurposeofpryingintothescandalousgossipoftheCourtandthecapital.Theexistenceofthiscabinetsoonbecamegenerallyknowntoeveryone.Thenumerouspostmasterswhosucceededeachother，especiallyinlattertimes，thestillmorenumerousPostOfficeclerks，andthatportionofthepublicwhoareeveronthewatchforwhatisheldupasscandalous，soonbanishedallthesecrecyoftheaffair，andnonebutfoolsweretakeninbyit.AllwhodidnotwishtobecommittedbytheircorrespondencechosebetterchannelsofcommunicationthanthePost;butthosewhowantedtoruinanenemyorbenefitafriendlongcontinuedtoavailthemselvesoftheblackcabinet，which，atfirstintendedmerelytoamuseamonarch’sidlehours，soonbecameamediumofintrigue，dangerousfromtheabusethatmightbemadeofit.
　　Everymorning，forthreeyears，Iusedtoperusetheportfoliocontainingthebulletinsoftheblackcabinet，andIfranklyconfessthatInevercoulddiscoveranyrealcauseforthepublicindignationagainstit，exceptinasmuchasitprovedthechannelofvileintrigue.Outof30，000
　　letters，whichdailyleftParistobedistributedthroughFranceandallpartsoftheworld，tenortwelve，atmost，werecopied，andoftenonlyafewlinesofthem.
　　Bonaparteatfirstproposedtosendcompletecopiesofinterceptedletterstotheministerswhomtheircontentsmightconcern;butafewobservationsfrommeinducedhimtodirectthatonlytheimportantpassagesshouldbeextractedandsent.Imadetheseextracts，andtransmittedthemtotheirdestinations，accompaniedbythefollowingwords："TheFirstConsuldirectsmetoinformyouthathehasjustreceivedthefollowinginformation，"etc.Whencetheinformationcamewaslefttobeguessedat.
　　TheFirstConsuldailyreceivedthroughthischannelaboutadozenpretendedletters，thewritersofwhichdescribedtheirenemiesasopponentsoftheGovernment，ortheirfriendsasmodelsofobedienceandfidelitytotheconstitutedauthorities.Butthesecretpurposeofthisvilecorrespondencewassoondiscovered，andBonapartegaveordersthatnomoreofitshouldbecopied.I，however，sufferedfromitatthetimeofmydisgrace，andwaswell—nighfallingavictimtoitatasubsequentperiod.
　　ThelettermentionedbyM.deMarbois，andwhichwastheoccasionofthisdigressionontheviolationofprivatecorrespondence，derivedimportancefromthecircumstancethatWednesday，the20thofOctober，whenBonapartereceivedit，wasthedayonwhichIlefttheConsularpalace.
　　IretiredtoahousewhichBonapartehadadvisedmetopurchaseatSt.
　　Cloud，andforthefittingupandfurnishingofwhichhehadpromisedtopay.Weshallseehowhekeptthispromise！IimmediatelysenttodirectLandoire，themessengerofBonaparte’scabinet，toplaceallletterssenttomeintheFirstConsul’sportfolio，becausemanyintendedforhimcameundercoverforme.InconsequenceofthismessageI
　　receivedthefollowingletterfromM.deMeneval：
　　MYDEARBOURRIENNE——IcannotbelievethattheFirstConsulwouldwishthatyourlettersshouldbepresentedtohim.Ipresumeyoualludeonlytothosewhichmayconcernhim，andwhichcomeaddressedundercovertoyou.TheFirstConsulhaswrittentocitizensLavalletteandMolliendirectingthemtoaddresstheirpacketstohim.IcannotallowLandoiretoobeytheorderyousent.
　　TheFirstConsulyesterdayeveningevincedgreatregret.Herepeatedlysaid，"HowmiserableIam！Ihaveknownthatmansincehewassevenyearsold."Icannotbutbelievethathewillreconsiderhisunfortunatedecision.Ihaveintimatedtohimthattheburdenofthebusinessistoomuchforme，andthathemustbeextremelyatalossfortheservicesofonetowhomhewassomuchaccustomed，andwhosesituation，Iamconfident，nobodyelsecansatisfactorilyfill.Hewenttobedverylow—spirited.Iam，etc.
　　（Signed）MENEVAL.
　　19Vendemiaire，anX.
　　（21stOctober1802.）
　　NextdayIreceivedanotherletterfromM.Menevalasfollows：——
　　Isendyouyourletters.TheFirstConsulprefersthatyoushouldbreakthemopen，andsendherethosewhichareintendedforhim.I
　　enclosesomeGermanpapers，whichhebegsyoutotranslate.
　　MadameBonaparteismuchinterestedinyourbehalf;andIcanassureyouthatnoonemoreheartilydesiresthantheFirstConsulhimselftoseeyouagainatyouroldpost，forwhichitwouldbedifficulttofindasuccessorequaltoyou，eitherasregardsfidelityorfitness.Idonotrelinquishthehopeofseeingyouhereagain.
　　AwholeweekpassedawayinconflictsbetweentheFirstConsul’sfriendshipandpride.Theleastdesirehemanifestedtorecallmewasopposedbyhisflatterers.Onthefifthdayofourseparationhedirectedmetocometohim.Hereceivedmewiththegreatestkindness，andafterhavinggood—humouredlytoldmethatIoftenexpressedmyselfwithtoomuchfreedom——afaultIwasneversolicitoustocorrect——headded："Iregretyourabsencemuch.Youwereveryusefultome.Youareneithertoonoblenortooplebeian，neithertooaristocraticnortooJacobinical.Youarediscreetandlaborious.Youunderstandmebetterthananyoneelse;and，betweenourselvesbeitsaid，weoughttoconsiderthisasortofCourt.LookatDuroc，Bessieres，Maret.
　　However，Iamverymuchinclinedtotakeyouback;butbysodoingI
　　shouldconfirmthereportthatIcannotdowithoutyou."
　　MadameBonaparteinformedmethatshehadheardpersonstowhomBonaparteexpressedadesiretorecallmeobserve，"Whatwouldyoudo？Peoplewillsayyoucannotdowithouthim.Youhavegotridofhimnow;thereforethinknomoreabouthim：andasfortheEnglishnewspapers，hegavethemmoreimportancethantheyreallydeserved：youwillnolongerbetroubledwiththem."Thiswillbringtomindascene——whichoccurredatMalmaisononthereceiptofsomeintelligenceinthe’LondonGazette’.
　　IamconvincedthatifBonapartehadbeenlefttohimselfhewouldhaverecalledme，andthisconvictioniswarrantedbytheintervalwhichelapsedbetweenhisdeterminationtopartwithmeandtheformalannouncementofmydismissal.Ourrupturetookplaceonthe20thofOctober，andonthe8thofNovemberfollowingtheFirstConsulsentmethefollowingletter：
　　CITIZENBOURRIENNE，MINISTEROFSTATE——Iamsatisfiedwiththeserviceswhichyouhaverenderedmeduringthetimeyonhavebeenwithme;buthenceforththeyarenolongernecessary.Iwishyoutorelinquish，fromthistime，thefunctionsandtitleofmyprivatesecretary.Ishallseizeanearlyopportunityofprovidingforyouinawaysuitedtoyouractivityandtalents，andconducivetothepublicservice.
　　（Signed）BONAPARTE.
　　IfanyproofoftheFirstConsul’smalignitywerewantingitwouldbefurnishedbythefollowingfact：——AfewdaysafterthereceiptoftheletterwhichannouncedmydismissalIreceivedanotefromDuroc;but，toaffordanideaofthepettyrevengeofhimwhocausedittobewritten，itwillbenecessaryfirsttorelateafewprecedingcircumstances.
　　When，withtheviewofpreservingalittlefreedom，IdeclinedtheofferofapartmentswhichMadameBonapartehadpreparedatMalmaisonformyselfandmyfamily，IpurchasedasmallhouseatRuel：theFirstConsulhadgivenordersforthefurnishingofthishouse，aswellasonewhichI
　　possessedinParis.FromthemannerinwhichtheordersweregivenIhadnottheslightestdoubtbutthatBonaparteintendedtomakemeapresentofthefurniture.However，whenIlefthisserviceheappliedtohaveitreturned.AsatfirstIpaidnoattentiontohisdemand，asfarasitconcernedthefurnitureatRuel，hedirectedDuroctowritethefollowinglettertome：
　　TheFirstConsul，mydearBourrienne，hasjustorderedmetosendhimthiseveningthekeysofyourresidenceinParis，fromwhichthefurnitureisnottoberemoved.
　　HealsodirectsmetoputintoawarehousewhateverfurnitureyoumayhaveatRuelorelsewherewhichyouhaveobtainedfromGovernment.
　　Ibegofyoutosendmeananswer，soastoassistmeintheexecutionoftheseorders.YoupromisedmetohaveeverythingsettledbeforetheFirstConsul’sreturn.ImustexcusemyselfinthebestwayIcan.
　　（Signed）DUROC.
　　24Brumaire，anX.
　　（15thNovember1802.）
　　Believingmyselftobemasterofmyownactions，IhadformedthedesignofvisitingEngland，whitherIwascalledbysomeprivatebusiness.
　　However，Iwasfullyawareofthepeculiarityofmysituation，andIwasresolvedtotakenostepthatshouldinanywayjustifyareproach.
　　Onthe11thofJanuaryIthereforewrotetoDuroc：
　　MyaffairsrequiremypresenceinEnglandforsometime.Ibegofyou，mydearDuroc，tomentionmyintendedjourneytotheFirstConsul，asIdonotwishtodoanythinginconsistentwithhisviews.
　　Iwouldrathersacrificemyowninterestthandispleasehim.Irelyonyourfriendshipforanearlyanswertothis，foruncertaintywouldbefataltomeinmanyrespects.
　　Theanswer，whichspeedilyarrived，wasasfollows：——
　　MYDEARBOURRIENNE——IhavepresentedtotheFirstConsultheletterIjustreceivedfromyou.Hereadit，andsaid，"No！"
　　ThatistheonlyanswerIcangiveyou.（Signed）DUROC.
　　Thismonosyllablewasexpressive.ItprovedtomethatBonapartewasconscioushowillhehadtreatedme;and，suspectingthatIwasactuatedbythedesireofvengeance，hewasafraidofmygoingtoEngland，lestI
　　shouldtheretakeadvantageofthatlibertyofthepresswhichhehadsoeffectuallyputdowninFrance.Heprobablyimaginedthatmyobjectwastopublishstatementswhichwouldmoreeffectuallyhaveenlightenedthepublicrespectinghisgovernmentanddesignsthanallthescandalousanecdotes，atrociouscalumnies，andridiculousfabricationsofPelletier，theeditorofthe’Ambigu’.ButBonapartewasmuchdeceivedinthissupposition;andiftherecanremainanydoubtonthatsubject，itwillberemovedonreferringtothedateoftheseMemoirs，andobservingthetimeatwhichIconsentedtopublishthem.
　　IwasnotdeceivedastothereasonsofBonaparte’sunceremoniousrefusalofmyapplication;andasIwellknewhisinquisitorialcharacter，Ithoughtitprudenttoconcealmynotes.IacteddifferentlyfromCamoens.Hecontendedwiththeseatopreservehismanuscripts;Imadetheearththedepositoryofmine.Icarefullyenclosedmymostvaluablenotesandpapersinatinbox，whichIburiedunderground.Ayellowtinge，thecommencementofdecay，hasinsomeplacesalmostobliteratedthewriting.
　　Itwillbeseeninthesequelthatmyprecautionwasnotuseless，andthatIwasrightinanticipatingthepersecutionofBonaparte，provokedbythemaliceofmyenemies.Onthe20thofAprilDurocsentmethefollowingnote：
　　Ibeg，mydearBourrienne，thatyouwillcometoSt.Cloudthismorning.IhavesomethingtotellyouonthepartoftheFirstConsul.
　　（Signed）DUROC.
　　Thisnotecausedmemuchanxiety.Icouldnotdoubtbutthatmyenemieshadinventedsomenewcalumny;butImustsaythatIdidnotexpectsuchbasenessasIexperienced.
　　AssoonasDurochadmademeacquaintedwiththebusinesswhichtheFirstConsulhaddirectedhimtocommunicate，IwroteonthespotthesubjoinedlettertoBonaparte：
　　AtGeneralDuroc’sdesireIhavethismomentwaiteduponhim，andheinformsmethatyouhavereceivednoticethatadeficitof100，000
　　francshasbeendiscoveredintheTreasuryoftheNavy，whichyourequiremetorefundthisdayatnoon.
　　CitizenFirstConsul，Iknownotwhatthismeans！Iamutterlyignorantofthematter.Isolemnlydeclaretoyouthatthischargeisamostinfamouscalumny.ItisonemoretobeaddedtothenumberofthosemaliciouschargeswhichhavebeeninventedforthepurposeofdestroyinganyinfluenceImightpossesswithyou.
　　IaminGeneralDuroc’sapartment，whereIawaityourorders.
　　DuroccarriedmynotetotheFirstConsulassoonasitwaswritten.Hespeedilyreturned."All’sright！"saidhe."癏ehasdirectedmetosayitwasentirelyamistake！——thatheisnowconvincedhewasdeceived！
　　thatheissorryforthebusiness，andhopesnomorewillbesaidaboutit."
　　ThebaseflattererswhosurroundedBonapartewishedhimtorenewhisEgyptianextortionsuponme;buttheyshouldhaverecollectedthatthefusilladeemployedinEgyptforthepurposeofraisingmoneywasnolongerthefashioninFrance，andthatthedaysweregonebywhenitwasthecustomto’greasethewheelsoftherevolutionarycar.’
　　CHAPTERXVII.
　　1803.
　　TheFirstConsul’spresentimentsrespectingthedurationofpeace——
　　England’suneasinessattheprosperityofFrance——Bonaparte’srealwishforwar——ConcourseofforeignersinParis——BadfaithofEngland——BonaparteandLordWhitworth——RelativepositionofFranceandEngland—Bonaparte’sjourneytotheseaboarddepartments——
　　BreakfastatCompiegne——FatherBerton——IrritationexcitedbythepresenceofBouquet——FatherBerton’sderangementanddeath——Rapporderedtosendforme——Ordercountermanded.
　　TheFirstConsulneveranticipatedalongpeacewithEngland.Hewishedforpeacemerelybecause，knowingittobeardentlydesiredbythepeople，aftertenyearsofwarhethoughtitwouldincreasehispopularityandaffordhimtheopportunityoflayingthefoundationofhisgovernment.PeacewasasnecessarytoenablehimtoconquerthethroneofFranceaswarwasessentialtosecureit，andtoenlargeitsbaseattheexpenseoftheotherthronesofEurope.ThiswasthesecretofthepeaceofAmiens，andoftherupturewhichsosuddenlyfollowed，thoughthatrupturecertainlytookplacesoonerthantheFirstConsulwished.
　　OnthegreatquestionsofpeaceandwarBonaparteentertainedelevatedideas;butindiscussionsonthesubjecthealwaysdeclaredhimselfinfavourofwar.Whentoldofthenecessitiesofthepeople，oftheadvantagesofpeace，itsinfluenceontrade，thearts，nationalindustry，andeverybranchofpublicprosperity，hedidnotattempttodenytheargument;indeed，heconcurredinit;butheremarked，thatallthoseadvantageswereonlyconditional，solongasEnglandwasabletothrowtheweightofhernavyintothescaleoftheworld，andtoexercisetheinfluenceofhergoldinalltheCabinetsofEurope.Peacemustbebroken;sinceitwasevidentthatEnglandwasdeterminedtobreakit.
　　Whynotanticipateher？Whyallowhertohavealltheadvantagesofthefirststep？WemustastonishEurope！WemustthwartthepolicyoftheContinent！Wemuststrikeagreatandunexpectedblow.ThusreasonedtheFirstConsul，andeveryonemayjudgewhetherhisactionsagreedwithhissentiments.
　　TheconductofEnglandtoowelljustifiedtheforesightofBonaparte’spolicy;orratherEngland，byneglectingtoexecutehertreaties，playedintoBonaparte’shand，favouredhisloveforwar，andjustifiedthepromptdeclarationofhostilitiesintheeyesoftheFrenchnation，whomhewishedtopersuadethatifpeacewerebrokenitwouldbeagainsthiswishes.Englandwasalreadyatworkwiththepowerfulmachineryofhersubsidies，andtheveilbeneathwhichsheattemptedtoconcealhernegotiationswasstillsufficientlytransparentforthelynxeyeoftheFirstConsul.Itwasinthemidstofpeacethatallthoseplotswerehatched，whilemillionswhohadnoknowledgeoftheirexistenceweresecurelylookingforwardtouninterruptedrepose.
　　SincetheRevolutionParishadneverpresentedsuchaspectacleasduringthewinterof1802—3.AtthattimetheconcourseofforeignersintheFrenchcapitalwasimmense.Everythingworetheappearanceofsatisfaction，andtheexternalsignsofpublicprosperity.ThevisibleregenerationinFrenchsocietyexceedinglyannoyedtheBritishMinistry.
　　TheEnglishwhoflockedtotheContinentdiscoveredFrancetobeverydifferentfromwhatshewasdescribedtobebytheEnglishpapers.ThiscausedseriousalarmontheothersideoftheChannel，andtheEnglishGovernmentendeavouredbyunjustcomplaintstodivertattentionfromjustdissatisfaction，whichitsownsecretintriguesexcited.TheKingofEnglandsentamessagetoParliament，inwhichhespokeofarmamentspreparingintheportsofFrance，andofthenecessityofadoptingprecautionsagainstmeditatedaggressions.ThisinstanceofbadfaithhighlyirritatedtheFirstConsul，whooneday，inafitofdispleasure，thusaddressedLordWhitworthinthesalon，wherealltheforeignAmbassadorswereassembled：
　　"Whatisthemeaningofthis？Areyouthentiredofpeace？MustEuropeagainbedelugedwithblood？Preparationsforwarindeed！Doyouthinktooveraweusbythis？YoushallseethatFrancemaybeconquered，perhapsdestroyed，butneverintimidated——never！"
　　TheEnglishAmbassadorwasastoundedatthisunexpectedsally，towhichhemadenoreply.HecontentedhimselfwithwritingtohisGovernmentanaccountofaninterviewinwhichtheFirstConsulhadsofarforgottenhimself，—whetherpurposelyornotIdonotpretendtosay.
　　ThatEnglandwishedforwartherecouldbenodoubt.SheoccupiedMalta，itistrue，butshehadpromisedtogiveitup，thoughsheneverhadanyintentionofdoingso.ShewastohaveevacuatedEgypt，yetthereshestillremained;theCapeofGoodHopewastohavebeensurrendered，butshestillretainedpossessionofit.Englandhadsigned，atAmiens，apeacewhichshehadnointentionofmaintaining.SheknewthehatredoftheCabinetsofEuropetowardsFrance，andshewassure，byherintriguesandsubsidies，ofarmingthemonhersidewheneverherplansreachedmaturity.ShesawFrancepowerfulandinfluentialinEurope，andsheknewtheambitiousviewsoftheFirstConsul，who，indeed，hadtakenlittlepainstoconcealthem.
　　TheFirstConsul，whohadreckonedonalongerdurationofthepeaceofAmiens，foundhimselfattheruptureofthetreatyinanembarrassingsituation.Thenumerousgrantsoffurloughs，thedeplorableconditionofthecavalry，andthetemporaryabsenceofartillery，inconsequenceofaprojectforrefoundingallthefield—pieces，causedmuchanxietytoBonaparte.Hehadrecoursetotheconscriptiontofillupthedeficienciesofthearmy;andtheprojectofrefoundingtheartillerywasabandoned.Suppliesofmoneywereobtainedfromthelargetowns，andHanover，whichwassoonafteroccupied，furnishedabundanceofgoodhorsesformountingthecavalry.
　　Warhadnowbecomeinevitable;andassoonasitwasdeclaredtheFirstConsulsetouttovisitBelgiumandtheseaboarddepartmentstoascertainthebestmeansofresistingtheanticipatedattacksoftheEnglish.InpassingthroughCompiegnehereceivedavisitfromFatherBerton，formerlyprincipalofthemilitaryschoolofBrienne.HewasthenrectoroftheschoolofartsatCompiegne，asituationinwhichhehadbeenplacedbyBonaparte.IlearnedtheparticularsofthisvisitthroughJosephine.FatherBerton，whoseprimitivesimplicityofmannerwasunchangedsincethetimewhenheheldusundertheauthorityofhisferule，cametoinviteBonaparteandJosephinetobreakfastwithhim，whichinvitationwasaccepted.FatherBertonhadatthattimelivingwithhimoneofouroldcomradesofBrienne，namedBouquet;butheexpresslyforbadehimtoshowhimselftoBonaparteoranyoneofhissuite，becauseBouquet，whohadbeenacommissaryatheadquartersinItaly，wasindisgracewiththeFirstConsul.BouquetpromisedtoobserveFatherBerton’sinjunctions，butwasfarfromkeepinghispromise.AssoonashesawBonaparte’scarriagedriveup，herantothedoorandgallantlyhandedoutJosephine.Josephine，asshetookhishand，said，"Bouquet，——youhaveruinedyourself！"Bonaparte，indignantatwhatheconsideredanunwarrantablefamiliarity，gavewaytooneofhisuncontrollablefitsofpassion，andassoonasheenteredtheroomwherethebreakfastwaslaid，heseatedhimself，andthensaidtohiswifeinanimperioustone，"Josephine，sitthere！"Hethencommencedbreakfast，withouttellingFatherBectontositdown，althoughathirdplatehadbeenlaidforhim.FatherBectonstoodbehindhisoldpupil’schairapparentlyconfoundedathisviolence.ThesceneproducedsuchaneffectontheoldmanthathebecameincapableofdischarginghisdutiesatCompiegne.HeretiredtoRheims，andhisintellectsoonafterbecamederanged.IdonotpretendtosaywhetherthisalienationofmindwascausedbytheoccurrenceIhavejustrelated，andtheaccountofwhichI
　　receivedfromJosephine.Shewasdeeplyafflictedatwhathadpassed.
　　FatherBertondiedinsane.WhatIheardfromJosephinewasafterwardsconfirmedbythebrotherofFatherBecton.Thefactis，thatinproportionasBonaparteacquiredpowerhewasthemoreannoyedatthefamiliarityofoldcompanions;and，indeed，Imustconfessthattheirfamiliarityoftenappearedveryridiculous.
　　TheFirstConsul’svisittothenortherncoasttookplacetowardstheendoftheyear1803，atwhichtimetheEnglishattackedtheDutchsettlementsofSurinam，Demerara，andEssequibo，andaconventionofneutralitywasconcludedbetweenFrance，Spain，andPortugal.RappaccompaniedtheFirstConsul，whoattentivelyinspectedthepreparationsmakingforadescentonEngland，whichitwasneverhisintentiontoeffect，aswillbeshortlyshown.
　　OntheFirstConsul’sreturnIlearnedfromRappthatIhadbeenspokenofduringthejourney，andinthefollowingway：——Bonaparte，beingatBoulogne，wantedsomeinformationwhichnoonetherecouldgive，him.
　　VexedatreceivingnosatisfactoryanswertohisinquirieshecalledRapp，andsaid，"Doyouknow，Rapp，whereBourrienneis？"——"General，heisinParis."——"Writetohimtocomehereimmediately，andsendoffoneofmycourierswiththeletter."TherumouroftheFirstConsul’ssuddenrecollectionofmespreadlikelightning，andthetimerequiredtowritetheletteranddespatchthecourierwasmorethansufficientfortheeffortsofthosewhommyreturnwascalculatedtoalarm.Artfulrepresentationssooncheckedthesespontaneoussymptomsofareturntoformerfeelingsandhabits.WhenRappcarriedtotheFirstConsultheletterhehadbeendirectedtowritetheorderwascountermanded.
　　However，RappadvisedmenottoleaveParis，orifIdid，tomentiontheplacewhereImightbefound，sothatDurocmighthaveitinhispowertoseizeonanyfavourablecircumstancewithoutdelay.IwaswellawareofthefriendshipofbothRappandDuroc，andtheycouldasconfidentlyrelyonmine.
　　CHAPTERXVIII.
　　1803.
　　Vastworksundertaken——TheFrenchandtheRomansoldiers——ItineraryofBonaparte’sjourneystothecoast——Twelvehoursonhorseback——
　　DiscussionsinCouncil——OppositionofTruguet——Bonaparte’aopiniononthepointunderdiscussion——Twodivisionsoftheworld——Europeaprovince——Bonaparte’sjealousyofthedignityofFrance——TheEnglishmaninthedockyardofBrest——PublicaudienceattheTuilleries——TheFirstConsul’sremarksuponEngland——HiswishtoenjoythegoodopinionoftheEnglishpeople——BallatMalmaison——
　　LinesonHortense’sdancing——Singularmotiveforgivingtheball.
　　AtthetimeoftherupturewithEnglandBonapartewas，asIhavementioned，quiteunpreparedinmostbranchesoftheservice;yeteverythingwascreatedasifbymagic，andheseemedtoimparttoothersashareofhisownincredibleactivity.Itisinconceivablehowmanythingshadbeenundertakenandexecutedsincetheruptureofthepeace.
　　ThenorthcoastofFrancepresentedtheappearanceofonevastarsenal;
　　forBonaparteonthisoccasionemployedhistroopslikeRomansoldiers，andmadethetoolsoftheartisansucceedtothearmsofthewarrior.
　　OnhisfrequentjourneystothecoastBonaparteusuallysetoffatnight，andonthefollowingmorningarrivedatthepostofficeofChantilly，wherehebreakfasted.Rapp，whomIoftensawwhenhewasinParis，talkedincessantlyofthesejourneys，forhealmostalwaysaccompaniedtheFirstConsul，anditwouldhavebeenwellhadhealwaysbeensurroundedbysuchmen.IntheeveningtheFirstConsulsuppedatAbbeville，andarrivedearlynextdayatthebridgeofBrique."Itwouldrequireconstitutionsofirontogothroughwhatwedo，"saidRapp.
　　"Wenosooneralightfromthecarriagethanwemountonhorseback，andsometimesremaininoursaddlesfortenortwelvehourssuccessively.
　　TheFirstConsulinspectsandexamineseverything，oftentalkswiththesoldiers.Howheisbelovedbythem！WhenshallwepayavisittoLondonwiththosebravefellows？"
　　NotwithstandingthesecontinualjourneystheFirstConsulneverneglectedanyofthebusinessofgovernment，andwasfrequentlypresentatthedeliberationsoftheCouncil.IwasstillwithhimwhenthequestionastothemannerinwhichthetreatiesofpeaceshouldbeconcludedcameundertheconsiderationoftheCouncil.Somemembers，amongwhomTruguetwasconspicuous，wereofopinionthat，conformablywithanarticleoftheConstitution，thetreatiesshouldbeproposedbytheHeadoftheGovernment，submittedtotheLegislativeBody，andafterbeingagreedtopromulgatedaspartofthelaws.Bonapartethoughtdifferently.Iwasentirelyofhisopinion，andhesaidtome，"ItisforthemerepleasureofoppositionthattheyappealtotheConstitution，foriftheConstitutionsayssoitisabsurd.Therearesomethingswhichcannotbecomethesubjectofdiscussioninapublicassembly;forinstance，ifI
　　treatwithAustria，andmyAmbassadoragreestocertainconditions，canthoseconditionsberejectedbytheLegislativeBody？Itisamonstrousabsurdity！Thingswouldbebroughttoafinepassinthisway！
　　LucchesiniandMarkowwouldgivedinnerseverydaylikeCambaceres;
　　scattertheirmoneyabout，buymenwhoaretobesold，andthuscauseourpropositionstoberejected.Thiswouldbeafinewaytomanagematters！"
　　WhenBonaparte，accordingtohiscustom，talkedtomeintheeveningofwhathadpassedintheCouncil，hislanguagewasalwayscomposedofasingularmixtureofquotationsfromantiquity，historicalreferences，andhisownideas.HetalkedabouttheRomans，andIrememberwhenMr.FoxwasatParisthathetriedtodistinguishhimselfbeforethatForeignMinister，whomhegreatlyesteemed.InhisenlargedwayofviewingtheworldBonapartedivideditintotwolargestates，theEastandtheWest：
　　"Whatmatters，"hewouldoftensay，"thattwocountriesareseparatedbyriversormountains，thattheyspeakdifferentlanguages？WithveryslightshadesofvarietyFrance，Spain，England，Italy，andGermany，havethesamemannersandcustoms，thesamereligion，andthesamedress.Inthemamancanonlymarryonewife;slaveryisnotallowed;andthesearethegreatdistinctionswhichdividethecivilisedinhabitantsoftheglobe.WiththeexceptionofTurkey，Europeismerelyaprovinceoftheworld，andourwarfareisbutcivilstrife.Thereisalsoanotherwayofdividingnations，namely，bylandandwater."ThenhewouldtouchonalltheEuropeaninterests，speakofRussia，whosealliancehewishedfor，andofEngland，themistressoftheseas.Heusuallyendedbyalludingtowhatwasthenhisfavouritescheme——anexpeditiontoIndia.
　　WhenfromthesegeneraltopicsBonapartedescendedtotheparticularinterestsofFrance，hestillspokelikeasovereign;andImaytrulysaythatheshowedhimselfmorejealousthananysovereigneverwasofthedignityofFrance，ofwhichhealreadyconsideredhimselfthesolerepresentative.HavinglearnedthatacaptainoftheEnglishnavyhadvisitedthedockyardofBrestpassinghimselfoffasamerchant，whosepassporthehadborrowed，heflewintoaragebecausenoonehadventuredtoarresthim.——[seeJames’NavalHistoryforanaccountofSirSidneySmith’sdaringexploit.]——NothingwaslostonBonaparte，andhemadeuseofthisfacttoprovetotheCouncilofStatethenecessityofincreasingthenumberofcommissary—generalsofpolice.AtameetingoftheCouncilhesaid，"IftherehadbeenacommissaryofpoliceatBresthewouldhavearrestedtheEnglishcaptainandsenthimatoncetoParis.
　　AshewasactingthepartofaspyIwouldhavehadhimshotassuch.
　　NoEnglishman，notevenanobleman，ortheEnglishAmbassador，shouldbeadmittedintoourdockyards.Iwillsoonregulateallthis."Heafterwardssaidtome，"ThereareplentyofwretcheswhoaresellingmeeverydaytotheEnglishwithoutmybeingsubjectedtoEnglishspying."
　　——[DuringtheshortandhollowpeaceofAmiensBonapartesentovertoEnglandasconsulsandvice—consuls，anumberofengineersandmilitarymen，whowereinstructedtomakeplansofalltheharboursandcoastsoftheUnitedKingdom.Theyworkedinsecrecy，yetnotsosecretlybutthattheyweresoonsuspected：thefactswereproved，andtheyweresentoutofthecountrywithoutceremony.——
　　Editorof1836edition.]——
　　Hehadononeoccasionsaidbeforeanassemblageofgenerals，senators，andhighofficersofState，whowereatanaudienceoftheDiplomaticBody，"TheEnglishthinkthatIamafraidofwar，butIamnot."Andherethetruthescapedhim，inspiteofhimself."Mypowerwilllosenothingbywar.InaveryshorttimeIcanhave2，000，000ofmenatmydisposal.Whathasbeentheresultofthefirstwar？TheunionofBelgiumandPiedmonttoFrance.Thisisgreatlytoouradvantage;itwillconsolidateoursystem.Franceshallnotberestrainedbyforeignfetters.Englandhasmanifestlyviolatedthetreaties！ItwouldbebettertorenderhomagetotheKingofEngland，andcrownhimKingofFranceatParis，thantosubmittotheinsolentcapricesoftheEnglishGovernment.If，forthesakeofpreservingpeace，atmostforonlytwomonthslonger，Ishouldyieldonasinglepoint，theEnglishwouldbecomethemoretreacherousandinsolent，andwouldenactthemoreinproportionasweyield.Buttheylittleknowme！WerewetoyieldtoEnglandnow，shewouldnextprohibitournavigationincertainpartsoftheworld.
　　Shewouldinsistonthesurrenderofparships.Iknownotwhatshewouldnotdemand;butIamnotthemantobrooksuchindignities.SinceEnglandwishesforwarsheshallhaveit，andthatspeedily！"